Innovation High School grants given to St. Louis area schools

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KSDK) - Nearly $1.3 million in grants have been created to establish Innovation High Schools at public schools in the St. Louis area, Gov. Jay Nixon announced Thursday.

The grants are in partnership with St. Louis Community College and local businesses to help high school students acquire knowledge and skills needed to succeed in the health sciences, manufacturing, skilled trades, and information technology industries.

The Community Development Block Grants funds are administered by the Department of Economic Development and awarded to St. Louis Innovation High School, the Pattonville School District, and the Ferguson-Florissant School District.

St. Louis Innovation High School has been awarded $499,196 to accelerate the process for students earning an associate's degree through a duel-credit program provided by STLCC.

The Pattonville School District will use the $500,000 they were awarded to partner with the Economic Council of St. Louis County to create and support career pathways in advanced manufacturing, health/medical professions, and information technology. STLCC will also offer onsite and satellite campus associate's degree level courses to allow high school students to earn college credit.

The Ferguson-Florissant School District and the Special School District's North Technical High School in South St. Louis County will be brought together through the Innovation Campus Middle Apprenticeship Program under the leadership of the St. Louis Small Business Empowerment Center. The $289,800 awarded to the district will unite these entities with the Cabinet Maker and Millwright Joint Apprenticeship Programs of the Carpenters Joint Apprenticeship Training Program at STLCC. Students will be able to participate in the program and earn national certifications and college credits.